A singing star from Mynydd Isa joined more than 80 hopefuls to audition for a role alongside opera superstar Bryn Terfel at this summer’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The great bass-baritone from Caernarfon will head an all-star Welsh cast in a performance of Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway smash-hit Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Soprano Ffion Davies auditioned for the part of Sweeney Todd’s daughter Joanna, singing Greenfinch and the Linnet Bird from the show.

Ffion has been singing since she was in her early teens and was a member of Flintshire County Music Schools for a number of years.

She has been head of music at Derby Grammar School for the past four years.

She said: “Although I enjoy teaching I still sing for enjoyment semi-professionally and have done a number of solo performances locally and at venues in England.

“I think my audition for the part of Johanna went fine but I know that choosing a shortlist is going to be very difficult for the producers of Sweeney Todd as there was such a lot of singing talent on display today.

“But everyone was very friendly and supportive and I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that I will get the once in a lifetime chance to sing with the great Bryn Terfel.”

Now a shortlist will be drawn up from the young singers performing at the auditions, in Cardiff and at Llangollen so that Bryn Terfel can himself choose the three young unknowns who will take the stage alongside him.

The roles to be filled are star-crossed young lovers Anthony and Johanna who will be played by a tenor and a soprano over the age of 18 while street urchin Tobias Ragg, who works for Pirelli – Todd’s rival – will be played by a 10 to 14-year-old.

Eisteddfod musical director Eilir Owen Griffiths said: “The standard has been very, very high and it’s been very exciting.

“Everyone is coming very well prepared and they are clearly taking it very seriously but then there is a lot at stake because performing a major role alongside an icon like Bryn Terfel could be the springboard for someone’s career.”

“Each of them has had to sing a piece from Sweeney Todd, a song by the character they are trying out for and I’ve been very pleased with the quality of the singing and acting.

“One of our roles at the Eisteddfod is to provide an opportunity for young talent to flourish and there can be no bigger opportunity than to sing alongside a legend like Bryn Terfel.

“Just the chance to actually audition for a role like this is an experience in itself and one which will stand them in good stead in the future.”

Bryn Terfel added: “I’m absolutely thrilled I’m able to appear at the 2014 International Eisteddfod.

“I’m a proud Welshman and the International Eisteddfod is unique – the atmosphere, the colour, the audience, even the flowers, it really is a very, very special event.”

Eilir Owen Griffiths added: “It’s brilliant to have Bryn back this year and what an experience for those who come through the auditions to be on stage with him.

“It’s very exciting and the orchestra for the performance, the Sinfonia Cymru, is a very young orchestra also, conducted by maestro Gareth Jones.

“We need to be leaving a legacy and giving an opportunity for young people to shine.”